Expression of GLUT3 and HIF-1α in Meningiomas of Various Grades Correlated with Peritumoral Brain Edema

AIM: To investigate the expression of glucose transporter 3 (GLUT3) and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α protein (HIF-1α) in meningiomas and analyze the correlation between GLUT3 and HIF-1α expression with the pathological grade of peritumoral brain edema (PTBE) of meningiomas. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we analyzed meningioma specimens from 160 patients collected from January 1, 2014, to December 1, 2017, by dividing them into a low-grade (WHO I) or high-grade (WHO II and WHO III) group. Immunohistochemical analyses were used to detect the expression level of GLUT3 and HIF-1α in the tumor specimens. RESULTS: The proportion of GLUT3-positive staining in tumors sized <4 cm, 4–6 cm, and>6 cm was 35.9% (37/103), 63.6% (28/44), and 53.8% (7/13), respectively (P = 0.007). The proportion of HIF-1α-positive staining in tumors sized <4 cm, 4–6 cm, and >6 cm was 41.7% (43/103), 68.2% (30/44), and 38.5% (5/13), respectively (P = 0.010). The proportion of GLUT3-positive staining in the high-grade group and low-grade group was 70.8% (34/48) and 33.9% (38/112), respectively (P < 0.001). The proportion of HIF-1α-positive staining in the high-grade group and low-grade group was 62.5% (30/48) and 42.9% (48/112), respectively (P = 0.023). GLUT3-positive expression in meningioma PTBE grades 0, I, II, and III was 20.3% (13/64), 41.2% (14/34), 63.6% (21/33), and 82.8% (24/29), respectively (Bonferroni-corrected, P < 0.001, α/6 = 0.008). HIF-1α-positive expression in meningioma PTBE grades 0, I, II, and III was 34.4% (22/64), 47.1% (16/34), 54.5% (18/33), and 75.9% (22/29), respectively (Bonferroni-corrected, P = 0.003, α/6 = 0.008). Spearman's correlation analysis revealed a correlation between the expression of GLUT3 and HIF-1α in meningiomas (r = 0.463, P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that GLUT3-positive expression, HIF-1α-positive expression, and high pathological grade were associated with the development of PTBE (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: GLUT3 and HIF-1α expression in meningiomas was closely related to the tumor size, pathological grade, and PTBE. This study is the first to report a unique map-like multifocal GLUT3 staining pattern in meningiomas.